Respiratory Care, AS

Follow your passion to become a respiratory therapist.

The simple act of breathing is not something most people think about - until they can't breathe normally. As a Respiratory Therapist, you will use a combination of scientific standards and practices to discover, manage and prevent dysfunctions of the cardiopulmonary system.

Respiratory Therapists work with medical direction at sites such as wellness centers, medical offices, asthma clinics, sleep disorder centers and in hospitals. The patients you care for will rely on you to help diagnose lung and breathing disorders, determine therapies and implement and manage ongoing care and treatment programs.

Program Information

24-month, accredited Associate of Science Degree program.

study human physiology and the cardiopulmonary system and learn critical thinking and communication skills, patient assessment skills, disease management protocols and development of care plans through a combination of classroom instruction and clinical-based practice.

A strong aptitude for health sciences, professionalism and a genuine empathy for others is what makes Respiratory Therapists vital members of a medical team.

Upon successful completion of the program, students are prepared to sit for the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam, which leads to the advanced practitioner exam to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

Students must earn a total of 81 credits for this degree program.

Respiratory Therapist Salary & Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary in May 2015 for a Respiratory Therapist in the U.S. was $57,790 per year ($27.78 per hour), with a faster than average projected job growth of 12 percent between 2014 and 2024.

Program Accreditation

The Associate of Science in Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Inquiries regarding accreditation may be directed to: The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021. Phone: 817-283-2835